trying to create a forum

[oladeji79]

Can anyone please tell me how to create a forum.

 

[Hampo]

well first off youre going to need a hosting package that supports "php" and mysql.

then get yourself an open source forum package such as PHPBB (google it)

install it on your web server and away you go.

Be warned its not a very straight forward process for a novice, especially if you want to customize the forum, dont understand file permissions or server settings etc...

 

[Deleted member 27344]

You need to ask yourself "WHY do I need a forum" first.

 

[Astaroth]

well first off youre going to need a hosting package that supports "php" and mysql

Or one of the many other programming languages/ frameworks and databases.

The actual setting up a forum is very straight forward, there are many applications you can get which are free (like PHPBB, NotAnotherForum, mvnForum etc) or paid for (vBulletin, Community Server etc) which you setup on your webhosting most of which have installation scripts so to get "something" then in under an hour but with their generic look.

After this it is a case of customising it as required in terms of looks, settings and add ons. Much is done through the forums Admin control panel.


That all said and done the difficult part in "creating a forum" is how to actually make a successful forum. Given anyone can set a forum for free in under an hour why should people use yours rather than one of the thousands in competition with it? As a contributions based site there is the natural challenge that to get people to sign up and post you have to have people signed up and posting thus creating a vicious circle.

Search these forums and you will find lots of discussions on how to set up community sites, some of the tactics used and a few success stories and many that have simply disappeared

 

[P4D | Parcels4Delivery]

If you're not feeling confident downloading and installing one for yourself then companies like http://www.proboards.com/ offer hosted forums. You lose control over certain aspects but it'll be much easier to get up and running.

 

[BeautyScientist]

I agree that the most difficult thing is getting people to visit your forum and use it. I have been trying for years without any success, even though I have a blog with steady traffic to feed into it.

In fact I have just given up and I am going to take it down as soon as I have gone through and got rid of all the links to it.

 

[webdevuk]

PM me if you want some help

 

[Eagle]

Be warned its not a very straight forward process for a novice, especially if you want to customize the forum, dont understand file permissions or server settings etc...

Have to agree there. I run two and it's a very steep learning curve. Which doesn't ever flatten out.

 

[BusinessIdeas]

I started a thread on this and the discussion is still going on months later
http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=99735

 

[That Guy]

If you need hosting check out my signature

If you are looking for FREE forum software I would suggest looking at Mybb!

Website: http://www.mybboard.net/

Mods: http://mods.mybboard.net/mods

Themes: http://mods.mybboard.net/themes


I hope this helps. For a demo of mybb click on the Computer Support link in my signature

 

[komandin]

Do you want to use forum or study to programming ?

 

[mullins]

as someone said before, it is a learning curve.....but once you put yourself through it you will find it very easy....

i am not a computer techy but i just set up TheVotersVoice.co.uk, setting up was the easy part.....getting people to come to it is the hard part......

good luck
gm